Life Isn't but a Dream...

You ever wonder if one day you're going to wake up and find out that it was all a dream? That all the crazy, bad, random things about your life never happened? Wouldn't that be awesome? To just have a clean slate?

If you could have it, would you really want it?

I can honestly say that I wouldn't.

I'll be the first to say that everything about my life is not picture perfect. I have said and done things I would love to take back. I often look back on things in my life and wonder how I'm not dead, or how I managed to wiggle out of certain situations. There have been times I thought "why didn't someone slap me?" for doing some stupid ish. None the less, the great lesson in all this is that if it had not been for my life's experiences, I wouldn't be the woman I am today.

Experience is a great teacher-good or bad. We either find out the hard way or make a smooth landing. Either way, we learn from all things and use them to build the foundation for future endeavors. You only have to get burned once to know the fire is hot. But after you've been burned, you figure out what you need to do to not let it happen again. Life is funny like that.

So...if you could take it all back to do it again the right way, would you? Or would be proud of your the wounds you got during battle to be able to stand up and say "I persevered"?

Checking In

Wow...I feel like I haven't been around in a minute!! I miss everyone!!! I've had lots going on (good and bad) so I'll be sure to take some time to catch everyone up on the addict's latest trysts :)

How's everyone doing?

Who Am I?

Who am I?

I'm a woman.
Not perfect.
Hardworking.

I'm a woman.
Ever growing.
Always learning.

I'm a woman.
Cherishes family.
Adores friends.

I'm a woman.
Forever strong,
fight til the end.

I'm a woman.
A natural comforter.
A warm embrace.

I'm a woman.
Feel my love,
see my grace.

I'm a woman.
Standing tall!
Walking proud!

I'm a woman.
Independent.
Don't need the crowd.

I'm a woman.
Fearing God,
needing His care.

I'm a woman.
Praying daily,
knowing He's there.

I'm a woman.
Stressing out,
going through.

I'm a woman.
in need of love,
tried and true.

I'm a woman.
southern born,
southern raised;

I'm a woman
pressing on,
finding my way.

I'm a woman.
Strong in heart,
strong in mind.

I'm a woman.
A magnificent creature,
One of a kind.

"Jesus-Freak"

" The biggest freaks are church girls. If you want a freak, don't go to tha club, go to church. The same girls who would be sweatin' out their perms in the club on Saturday night would be the same chicks in church six hours later."
~j.hudson

So what do you think? Are all church girls freaks? Is the adage true? Is the pastor's daughter getting busy in a Sunday school room during choir rehearsal? Having this conversation as I was driving home from T.G.I. Friday's to watch the game tonight (I'm on the Celtics Bandwagon since my Bobcats were horrible this year), it got me thinking. Growing up, I was what you would call a "church girl". I was there every Sunday. I sang in the choir, I was a junior usher, an acolyte, leader of my youth group, and once I got of age, I even taught the younger kids in VBS (that's Vacation Bible School- don't act like you don't know).

But...I wasn't the girl that the guys wanted. I wasn't the "Jesus-Freak". I was always "the guy's girl". They may have thought I was pretty or cute, but no one ever tried to lure me to the back for some naughty behavior. I was the girl they always wanted to be on their kickball or dodge ball team, or the one they used to get to other girls. Lol...I will say that I did go to church with some girls who got the side-eye (Diva & Ms. Behaving, I'm borrowing your words). The ones that always sat in the back row and had the attention of the guys. They were always the "pretty girls". But was it because secretly, they were an easier nut to crack? The Bible says the Lord loves a cheerful giver...

Let me stop ; P

Seriously-I'd say that as I've gotten older I've heard rumors and seen women in church do some things that would make one raise an eyebrow. Wearing certain clothes, showing a bit more cleavage than necessary, even sitting so they can be in plain view of someone specific. They have to know what they are doing. Last I checked, that wasn't in the definition of a virtuous woman. But what about the women who are perfectly put together? Underneath the pumps and pearls, hats and handbags, are there women who go home an pull out the whip and the swing for some praise and worship?

Thoughts? Get at me in the comments.

Makes me Wanna Holler!

OK...my mind is boggled.

This morning on my way to work (at 5:20AM), I was minding my own, driving down the street. I happened to look in my rear view mirror and noticed a cop following me. Now, I'm not one to think "oh hell, what now?" I tend to have a more aggressive, "mess with me if you want" attitude towards cops. Men, especially cops in my experience, sometimes don't expect a woman to speak up or know her stuff. Not this little yellow girl...I come ready-guns blazin'.

So anyway, we're driving and he pulls into the lane next to me as we approach a stop light at an intersection. I come to a complete stop, but the cop does not. In fact, he does the casual drive right up to the pedestrian walk and then, without putting on his sirens, runs the light!?! WTF??? Now granted, there was not other traffic around except me, but if I had pulled that mess, he would have had my tags run before I could say my name. There was no emergency; the ambulance and fire departments were no where in sight. He just ran the light for no reason other than he could 'cause he's got a badge. As he passed by, he gave me the "yeah, that's right" look; kinda smug and sarcastic.

Stuff like that just makes my teeth wiggle!! I despise seeing our law enforcement-the folks who are supposed to uphold the law and set the example and standard-violate it. I know they have special rights and privileges, but sometimes they just take them too far. Like I said, had that been me, it would have been a serious matter.

Oh well, whatcha gonna do?

I Blog Because...

Peace.

Since joining the blog world in '07, it's been amazing to watch the process evolve. What's been more amazing is how I look forward to writing and reading other blogs. I'm not in deep yet, but I feel like I have a my steady blogfam that I check out regularly. I enjoy reading about the daily adventures of others; let's me know I'm not alone in my endeavors. Blogging gives me a an out, a release from the day-to-day life. It's my emotional exercise. Definitely making good use of the first amendment.


It was brought to my attention by someone close to me that it was good I had a "non work related" activity in my life. I had to stop and think about that for a sec.


My whole life revolves around work or things that have to do with work. Who I hang out with, how I use my free time, where I live. I love to work out and be active, but that is what I get paid to do everyday. I'm at the stage in my life where I enjoy work; I'm not married, I don't have children so I can give more of my time to my job and what it requires of me. There are times I'll work 12-hour days and yes I'm tired, but I don't mind. I believe that when my life stage changes (i.e., I get married, have kids, relocation) then I'll adjust my activities to boot.

My job has a very "college" feel about it. We party together, play together, sleep together (literally and figuratively), travel together and so on. It's the nature of our business. You can always tell when we are holding a spot down by the identifying stickers on our cars. You gotta love it.

Getting back to my point, I to am glad that I was introduced to the blog world. I love the ability to express myself and diversify my portfolio (for you B!) and have very much been able to do so through my blog. For those who check out my spot, thanks for the love. I plan to to keep this a part of my world until further notice.

I'm Addicted...again.

Peace everyone.

Isn't it funny how we attach ourselves to things? I find that I cycle through "moments" of certain things that I can't live without. I wrote a similar post a while back and while many of those still hold a high place in my life, I've recently added a few things. It's a good thing I really don't do drugs...I'd be in a terrible place otherwise. I've got such an addictive personality; hence the name.

Here you go---the latest addictions:

*Vitamin Water- I don't know how or when. One day, I had one and then I couldn't live without them. My goal was to have every flavor made. At Stop-N-Shop (our local grocery chain) they run deals where you can get 10 Vitamin Waters for $10!!! I was in heaven. Favorite flavors to date: Formula 50 (gotta support his business ventures), XXX (Sex in the City brand), Defense, and Energy. Vitamin Water-try it.

*Asparagus- Really? Yes! It's so wonderful! Clearly, it's the new broccoli. Grilled, steamed, sauteed I am in love. I order it every chance I get. For those of you who have...digestive side effects, be mindful. While wonderful and good for you, it may give you a healthy dose of flatulence to boot.

*Tiffany & Co.- OK. I know this one may seem a bit off the map, but over the last year, I've developed a special fondness for that little blue box. What woman doesn't love it? I'm not dripping with jewelry (I only have 3 pieces to date), but what it represents is timeless. Class, elegance, the finer things in life. Tiffany's has only been sung about, featured in movies (Sweet Home Alabama!!) and be documented a few hundred times. I'd say that makes it a strong candidate on my list. That...and I wouldn't mind adding a few more boxes to my collection.

*Water w/ Lemon- My new obsession. I live for Lemon-water. Something about it...it's refreshing, light, and if you add Splenda, you can make lemonade. I know, I know, it's hood, but true.

*Raspberry and Pomegranate Martinis- Love them! Perfect summer beverage. Fruity, feminine and fierce. Next to diamonds, a martini is a girl's best friend.

*Pedicures- I am that chick--if I'm stepping out and my toes are going to be out, then they have to be on point. In the winter, I get them less frequently, but in the summer they are subject to regular treatment at least once a month. Gotta keep my game tight ya heard?

*Trendy bags- You can never go wrong in this area. A great bag can totally make an outfit. My most recent purchase-and Ed Hardy tote-is my latest addition. I won't tell you how much I paid for it...just know it was worth it.

*Kickboxing- My refuge, my stress-reliever, my passion. Of all the classes I teach and all the fitness outlets I'm certified in Kickboxing is my favorite. I currently teach it twice a week and I LOVE IT! There's nothing better than getting out all the pent up energy of my day and motivating the folks that take my classes and kicking their butts. It's my release; I'm 100% in the zone when I teach this class. My students say I "hulk out" then come back down when class is over. I don't make it easy; they work hard and get a hellified workout in the process. One of the few times I'll pop my own collar; I'm a damn good instructor.

I try to keep my addictions in check. So far, so good...

Sleepless in...

*Have you ever been up so long that when it's time for you to sleep you just can't?

That was me yesterday.

I woke up at 4am to pack for a trip. I typically get up at 5am on days I have to open so the fact that I was up a full 60 minutes earlier was a stretch. I got packed, got my stuff together for work and was out the door by 5:20 and at work by 5:50. Have I mentioned that this was all AM? I am NOT a morning person by any means.

I arrived at work with 10 minutes to get things going before a 6am meeting, followed by a 7am training session. With that out the way, I proceeded to get my workout in since I would lose the opportunity later in my day to do so. One sweaty hour and 10 minutes later, I'm headed to shower and dress for a department meeting. That takes me through the next 2 hours and at noon, I'm back prepared to teach classes (Intervelocity and Pilates) for the next 2 hours. At 2:15 (we're now in the PM) I have my final training session of the day. I wrap up my life by 3:15 and jump right into the ride for a 3 1/2 hour trip to Dirty Jerz. At 8:00 I'm putting my stuff down and ready to grub. I'm so tired at this point I don't even know my name. But I muster up the strength to enjoy my evening. By the time I'm full and back to the hotel, it's around 10 and I need toothpicks to hold my eyelids open. Do I crawl into bed and pass out? Not quite. Silly me--I put on my pj's and get into bed...with my laptop. I spend the next 90 minutes doing work. What? I'm clearly delirious at this point; running completely on fumes. I do some Facebooking, blog-browse and finally shut down my computer around 1AM.

Now--I should be dead at this point, but I've been up so long I can't even sleep. My second wind had kicked in and I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. I ordered two Lemon Drop martini's to help me unwind, but the silly fools sent me regulars instead. Now I'm a solider, but not a general. The were so strong; I had to let them be. I was pissed. How do you eff up a martini?

So...I did what any normal person would do: at 1:30AM I turned my TV to ESPN and let the sweet sounds of Sportscenter lull me away. I don't remember what time I drifted off, I just know that I woke up around and the sun was up.

Ain't that a B?

*a random rant by the Addict